Catalyst Game Labs is well known for resurrecting and reinvigorating classic game licenses, especially Shadowrun and Battletech. At GAMA this year they exhibited with a Shadowrun-themed booth, just the tip of the iceberg on what they’re advertising as the “Year of Shadowrun.” For those who may be unfamiliar with the property, Shadowrun is a near-future cyberpunk world where high-tech guns and implants go side by side with fantasy races and magic, all the while mega corporations rule from above. One of the most successful and popular RPG settings of all time, Shadowrun has also branched out into video games, novels, miniatures, toys, and more. Best of all? Catalyst has even more on the way.

First up, the Shadowrun RPG gets a brand new Fifth Edition Core Rulebook coming in the Spring. They’ve streamlined the rules and added tons of cool stuff to make this the best version yet (4th Edition will still be supported for more than a year, but Catalyst is confident that fans will embrace 5th right away). Coming hot on its heels is an Introductory Box Set, an all-in-one product that lets newcomers play right out of the box without too many rules to get in the way. This year will also see the release of new and classic fiction, a deck-building card game, a board game, a miniature game, and more. Catalyst is also working with its Shadowrun video game partners (Shadowrun Returns and Shadowrun Online) to offer digital content through codes in physical products only available at game stores.

Catalyst Game Labs was also showing off their other products at GAMA like the new Battletech Introductory Box Set, the upcoming Duke tabletop game, and the Leviathans game line with really cool miniature steampunk airships. As always, check with your local game store to get these and other great games from Catalyst.

Re: GAMA: Catalyst Game Labs

It's definitely going to be an exciting year for Shadowrun fans. I'm a backer of the "Returns" game on Kickstarter, and can't wait for that to be done. The alpha game footage they previewed a couple weeks ago looked fantastic. And I'm definitely onboard for some new products from Catalyst, especially 5th edition and the deck-building game.